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California Civil Rights Initiative
Isn't Just for Men

By

Lawrence J. Siskind

Updated June 5, 1996 12:01 a.m. ET

Having failed to get very far with the race card, opponents of the California Civil Rights Initiative now are playing the sex card. The CCRI is a proposed amendment to the California constitution that would ban discrimination against and preferences in favor of any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public employment, education and contracting. Every poll has shown it enjoying commanding majorities. It has inspired imitation proposals in several states and, thanks partly to Bob Dole, in Congress.